Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
The Launching Pad
Location	521 Capitol Ave. Atlanta, Georgia (now demolished)
Broke ground	April 15, 1964
Opened	April 12, 1966
Closed	October 24, 1996
Demolished	August 2, 1997
Owner	City of Atlanta and Fulton County
Surface	grass
Construction cost	$18 million USD
Architect	Heery, Inc
Former names	Atlanta Stadium (1965-1976)
Tenants	Atlanta Braves (MLB) (1966-1996) Atlanta Falcons (NFL) (1966-1991) Atlanta Chiefs (NASL) (1967-1969), (1971-1972), (1979-1981) Atlanta Crackers (IL) (1965) Chick-fil-A Bowl (NCAA) (1971-1991)
Capacity	52,007 (baseball), 60,606 (football)
Field dimensions	1966-68 & 1974-96 Left field: 330 ft. Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Events 467 - Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. Events 69 - Second Battle of Bedriacum, forces under Antonius Primus the commander of the Danube armies loyal to Vespasian, defeat Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Events 338 BC - A Macedonian army led by Philip II defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes in the Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Fulton County is a County located in the US state of Georgia. Grass is the common word that generally describes Monocotyledonous green Plants The family Gramineae ( Poaceae) are the "true grasses" and include The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Atlanta Falcons are an American football team based in Atlanta Georgia. The National Football League ( NFL) is the largest professional American football league. The Atlanta Chiefs were a Soccer team based out of Atlanta Georgia that played in the NPSL and NASL from 1967 to 1972 North American Soccer League (NASL was a professional soccer League with teams in the United States of America (U The Atlanta Crackers (distinct from the Atlanta Black Crackers) were Minor league baseball teams based in Atlanta Georgia between 1901 and 1965 The International League ( IL) is a Minor league baseball league which operates in the eastern United States. The Chick-fil-A Bowl, formerly called the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and before that simply (and perhaps more familiarly called the Peach Bowl, is an annual The National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA, often pronounced "N-C-Double-A" is a voluntary association of about 1200 institutions conferences organizations Left-Center: 385 ft. Center Field: 402 ft. Right-Center: 385 ft. Right Field: 330 ft. 1969-72 Left field: 330 ft. Left-Center: 375 ft. Center Field: 402 ft. Right-Center: 375 ft. Right Field: 330 ft. 1973 only Left field: 330 ft. Left-Center: 375 ft. Center Field: 402 ft. Right-Center: 385 ft. Right Field: 330 ft.

Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, sometimes erroneously referred to as "Fulton County Stadium," was a multi-use (baseball, football, soccer, rock concert, revival meeting, and monster truck) stadium that formerly stood in Atlanta, Georgia. Baseball is a Bat-and-ball Sport played between two teams of nine players each American football, known in the United States and Canada simply as football, is a competitive Team sport known for mixing strategy with Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered The term rock concert refers to a musical performance in the style of any one of many Genres inspired by " Rock and roll " Music. A revival meeting is a series of Christian religious services held in order to inspire active members of a religious body and to gain new converts A monster truck is an Automobile, typically styled after Pickup trucks modified or purposely built with extremely large Wheels and suspension. A modern stadium (plural stadiums or stadia in English is a place or venue for (mostly outdoor Sports Concerts or other events consisting Completed in a then-record 50 weeks for $18 million, it opened in the spring of 1965 as Atlanta Stadium. Auto Racing Stock car racing: Fred Lorenzen wins the Daytona 500 NASCAR Championship It was intended as the home of the soon-to-be-relocating Braves, but court battles kept the team in Milwaukee as a lame duck for a year. So the new stadium had a lame duck of its own for that first season: the Atlanta Crackers of the International League, whose previous home had been Ponce de Leon Park at 650 Ponce de Leon Avenue. The Atlanta Crackers (distinct from the Atlanta Black Crackers) were Minor league baseball teams based in Atlanta Georgia between 1901 and 1965 The International League ( IL) is a Minor league baseball league which operates in the eastern United States. Ponce de Leon Park, also known as Spiller Park or Spiller Field during 1924-1932 was the primary home field for the Minor league baseball team called In its first year it also hosted Atlanta's only Beatles concert, August 18, 1965. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 In 1966, both the NL's transplanted Braves and the NFL's expansion Atlanta Falcons moved in. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Baltimore Orioles over Los Angeles Dodgers (4-0 Frank Robinson, The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball The National Football League ( NFL) is the largest professional American football league. The Atlanta Falcons are an American football team based in Atlanta Georgia. In 1967 the Atlanta Chiefs of the National Professional Soccer League (reformed as the North American Soccer League in 1968) began the first of five seasons played at the stadium. The Atlanta Chiefs were a Soccer team based out of Atlanta Georgia that played in the NPSL and NASL from 1967 to 1972 The National Professional Soccer League (NPSL was a former professional soccer league featuring teams from the United States and Canada. North American Soccer League (NASL was a professional soccer League with teams in the United States of America (U ^[1] In a move intended to acknowledge the financial contributions of the taxpayers of Fulton County, the stadium's name was changed to the hyphenated Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in 1976, the same year that Ted Turner purchased the Braves. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III (born November 19, 1938) is an American Media proprietor and philanthropist. ^[2] The Falcons moved to the Georgia Dome in 1992, while the Braves had to wait until the Olympic Stadium from the 1996 Summer Olympics was transformed into Turner Field to move out at the beginning of the 1997 season. The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta Georgia that is owned and operated by the State of Georgia The 1992 NFL season was the 73rd Regular season of the National Football League. The 1996 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, were an International Turner Field is a ballpark in Atlanta Georgia, home to Major League Baseball 's Atlanta Braves since 1997 Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Florida Marlins over Cleveland Indians (4-3 Liván Hernández, The stadium sat 60,606 for football and 52,007 for baseball. The baseball competition for the 1996 Summer Olympics was held at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The 1996 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, were an International

Layout

The stadium was relatively nondescript, one of the many saucer-shaped multipurpose facilities built during the 1960s and 1970s, usually known as cookie-cutter stadiums, like those in Washington, New York, Houston, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Diego, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. Multi-purpose stadiums are a type of Stadium designed for use by multiple teams playing Baseball, American football, soccer, and in some Robert F Kennedy Memorial Stadium, better known as RFK Stadium or RFK, is a professional sports Stadium in Washington D William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough For the aeronautical use see Astrodome (aviation Reliant Astrodome, also known as the Houston Astrodome or simply the Astrodome Three Rivers Stadium was a Multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000 Busch Memorial Stadium, or Busch Stadium was the home of the St Qualcomm Stadium (aka " The Q " " The Murph " formerly known as San Diego Stadium and Jack Murphy Stadium Riverfront Stadium, later known as Cinergy Field, (2002 was the home of the Cincinnati Reds National League Baseball team and the Philadelphia Veterans Stadium (informally called "The Vet") was a professional sports facility located at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison As was the case for every stadium that used this design concept, the fundamentally different sizes and shapes of baseball and football fields made it inadequate for both sports. In the baseball configuration, 70 percent of the seats were in foul territory. In the football configuration, seats on the 50-yard-line--normally prime seats for football--were more than 50 yards away from the sidelines. One unusual feature of this stadium is the fact that, unlike most baseball stadiums used for football where the football field was laid either parallel to one of the foul lines or running from home plate to center field, the football field here was laid along a line running between first and third base. Thus, a seat behind home plate for baseball would also be on the 50-yard line for football. The stadium was refurbished for the 1996 season prior to hosting the Olympic baseball competition. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-2 John Wetteland, MVP

It was also known for the playing field's poor quality. It didn't have a full-time grounds crew until 1989, instead relying on a city work crew. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar)

Due to the relatively high elevation of the Atlanta area (situated at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains), the stadium boasted the highest elevation in baseball when it opened, at 1,050 feet above sea level. The Appalachian Mountains ( often called the Appalachians, are a vast system of mountains in eastern North America. It retained this distinction until the Colorado Rockies were born in 1993. The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies (4-2 Paul Molitor, The high elevation made it favorable to hitters, resulting in the nickname The Launching Pad.

There are those who think that the stadiums of the era -- especially Atlanta-Fulton County and Riverfront -- were architecturally graceful and elegant in their simplicity. Both were designed by a joint-venture team of FABRAP (Finch Alexander Barnes Rothschild & Paschal) and Heery, Inc.

The site where Atlanta Fulton County Stadium once stood is now a parking lot for Turner Field. The fence and wall display in the center of the picture commemorates the spot at which Hank Aaron's 715th home run landed on April 8, 1974.

Historic and notable events in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium

• In 1972, the stadium hosted the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Labor strife and more moving 1972 was tainted by a players' strike over pension and salary arbitration The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the "Midsummer Classic" is an annual Baseball game between players from the National League Hank Aaron hit a home run during the game, and the National League won the game 4-3 in 10 innings. Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron (born February 5 1934 in Mobile Alabama) nicknamed "Hammer" "Hammerin' Hank” or "Bad Henry” is a retired

• On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron became baseball's all-time career home run leader by hitting his 715th home run off the Los Angeles Dodgers' Al Downing. Events 217 - Roman Emperor Caracalla is Assassinated (and succeeded by his Praetorian Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron (born February 5 1934 in Mobile Alabama) nicknamed "Hammer" "Hammerin' Hank” or "Bad Henry” is a retired The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA Alphonso Erwin "Al" Downing (born June 28, 1941, in Trenton New Jersey) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for 17

• The stadium hosted the World Series for the first time in 1991 when the Braves played the Minnesota Twins in what ESPN judged to be the best World Series ever played^[3]. For other events named "World Series" see World Series (disambiguation. The 1991 World Series was played between the Minnesota Twins (95-67 of the American League and the Atlanta Braves (94-68 of the National League The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ESPN, originally an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American Cable television network dedicated to The Braves won all three games played in Atlanta, two in their final at-bat, but lost the series in seven games.

• The 1992 World Series saw the Braves play the Toronto Blue Jays with the Blue Jays defeating the Braves four games to two, including two of three in Atlanta. The 1992 World Series was the first Series ever played outside of the United States of America. The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

• On July 20, 1993, a fire occurred in the stadium press box during batting practice for that evening's game. Events 1304 - Wars of Scottish Independence: Fall of Stirling Castle - King Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) This fire occurred on the same day that Fred McGriff joined the Braves. Frederick Stanley "Crime Dog" McGriff (born October 31, 1963 in Tampa Florida) is a former left-handed Major League Baseball player

• On October 28, 1995, the Braves clinched the 1995 World Series by defeating the Cleveland Indians 1-0 on a one-hit, 8-inning performance by pitcher Tom Glavine. Events 306 - Maxentius is proclaimed Roman Emperor. 312 - Battle of Milvian Bridge: Constantine Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 The 1995 World Series matched the Atlanta Braves against the Cleveland Indians, with the Braves winning in six games to capture its third World Championship in The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Thomas Michael Glavine (born March 25, 1966 in Concord Massachusetts) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher The title was the Braves' first World Series championship in Atlanta, making one title in each of the three cities in which they have resided (also Boston and Milwaukee).

• The stadium's final event was Game 5 of the 1996 World Series; Andy Pettite of the New York Yankees closed down the stadium with a 1-0 shutout over John Smoltz of the Braves. The 1996 World Series matched the defending champion Atlanta Braves against the New York Yankees, with the Yankees winning in six games to capture their first Andrew Eugene Pettitte (born June 15 1972 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher who plays for the The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. John Andrew Smoltz (born May 15, 1967 in) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. Luis Polonia, made the final out in stadium history when Paul O'Neill of the Yankees robbed Polonia of a potential game-tying extra-base hit. Luis Andrew Polonia Almonte (born October 12, 1963, in Santiago Dominican Republic) was a Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter Paul Andrew O'Neill (born February 25, 1963 in Columbus Ohio) is a former Right fielder Major League Baseball player who won five

Demolition

Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium was imploded on August 2, 1997. Events 338 BC - A Macedonian army led by Philip II defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes in the Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar A parking lot for Turner Field now stands on the site, with an outline of the old stadium, and a plaque marking the spot where Hank Aaron's historic 715th career home run landed on April 8, 1974, in what was formerly the Braves bullpen. Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron (born February 5 1934 in Mobile Alabama) nicknamed "Hammer" "Hammerin' Hank” or "Bad Henry” is a retired Events 217 - Roman Emperor Caracalla is Assassinated (and succeeded by his Praetorian Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar.

The stadium was demolished in the same year as another Atlanta sports venue, the Omni Coliseum. The Omni Coliseum, usually called The Omni, from the Latin for "all" or "every" was an indoor arena located in Atlanta, Georgia That arena was the former home of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks and the NHL's Atlanta Flames. The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional Basketball team based in Atlanta Georgia. The National Hockey League ( NHL) is a professional Ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America The Calgary Flames are a Professional Ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

References

External links

• TerraServer photo of old stadium outline in parking lot, and Turner Field